SOMETHING LIKE A SUBSCRIPTION!
(A Page from the Book of Philanthropy.)
The Committee waited impatiently the arrival of the Great and Good Man. It was their duty to obtain a donation—an ample one—from the Millionnaire whose charity was renowned far and wide, from one end of the world to the other. At length he appeared before them.
"What can I do for you?" he asked, with a smile that absolutely shone with benevolence.
"You know, Sir, that the claims of the poor in the Winter are numerous, and difficult to meet?"
"Certainly I do," returned the Man of Wealth, "and hope that you are about to ask me for a subscription."
"Indeed we were," cried the spokesman of the Committee, his eyes filling with grateful tears. "May I put you down for five pounds?"
"Five pounds!" echoed the Millionnaire, impatiently, "What is five pounds?—five thousand is much more like the figure! Now, I will give you five thousand pounds on one condition."
"Name it!" cried the Deputation in a breath.
"The simplest thing in the world," continued the Millionnaire. "I will give you five thousand pounds on the condition that you get ninety-nine other fellows to do the same. Nay, you shall thank me when all is collected. I can wait till then."
The above words were spoken more than thirty years ago. Since then the Deputation have been waiting for the other fellows—and so has the Millionnaire!